Contreras, Crede to get 2005 party started at Sox home opener

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - It just seems right that Jose Contreras is throwing out the ceremonial first pitch Friday afternoon at the White Sox' home opener against the Minnesota Twins.

Ten years ago, Contreras was a rock in a solid starting rotation that led the White Sox to a World Series sweep over the Houston Astros.

Thanks to the efforts of Contreras, Mark Buehrle, Freddy Garcia and Jon Garland, the Sox barreled through the postseason with an 11-1 record and claimed their first championship since 1917. The last remaining player from the 2005 champions - first baseman Paul Konerko - retired at the end of last season.

Pitching coach Don Cooper and Harold Baines are all that's left of the coaching staff. Currently the White Sox' assistant hitting coach, Baines was manager Ozzie Guillen's bench coach in 2005.

"I remember we had the big lead during the season and we almost choked," Baines said. "But the guys pulled it out and they deserve all the credit. Our pitching staff was really outstanding."

The Sox did hold a 15-game lead on Aug. 1 before Cleveland cut the gap to 1½ games on Sept. 24. But the White Sox went 6-2 to close out the regular season and carried the momentum into the playoffs.

Outside of winning the World Series, the postseason highlight was Buehrle, Garland, Garcia and Contreras rattling off 4 straight complete games in the American League championship series.

"We'll never see that again," said Ken "Hawk" Harrelson, who is in his 31st season in the Sox' TV booth. "We were privileged to see 4 complete games. I mean, you had to have the manager to do that. We had the manager that would do it.

"But then more importantly you had to have the horses who wanted to do it. When you've got Garland and Contreras and Buehrle and Garcia, those guys were just magnificent."

Former third baseman Joe Crede, who was magnificent himself in the postseason a decade ago, will catch Contreras' first pitch.

The White Sox will be honoring the 2005 champs throughout the season, including a reunion weekend July 17-19 at U.S. Cellular Field.